The Key to Heaven

We got to discussing in class today about propaganda in the media and across all governments. We agreed that Persepolis deals with extreme cases of propaganda put out by the revolutionists, the new government. It is crazy to realize the extent to which the government will lie to its people for their support and cooperation. Our discussion group never got a chance to share our page, but on page 99 there is a prime example of the government lying. The narrator's friend is telling her family about how her son is being brainwashed to go fight in the war. The government has given her friend's son a golden key that apparently is the key to heaven for when the son dies. The gesture is meant to lure boys into the army with the promise that if they die they are guaranteed to go to heaven. Furthermore, the government alters the boys sense of heaven by explaining all the luxuries it has to offer. All the women, food and gold one could ever want, obviously a persuading argument to go fight without fear of dying (99).

I just think it's tragic to see the government sink so low. Of course there is no real "key" to heaven, to never ending paradise. It's all made up by the government as an attempt to reassure families and take their children for the war effort.